Smith: Fair graduate contribution can help boost bursary support for our poorest students

An IPSOS-Mori poll for the Open University in Scotland has found that a quarter of Scots are put off studying part-time because of tuition fees.

Of those who were unemployed, around half said they would like to return to university, but 73% said the prospect of fees prevented them from doing so.

Liz Smith MSP, Scottish Conservative Education Spokesperson, said:

"We are totally committed to widening access to higher and further education.

"That is why our proposals for a graduate contribution, paid from future earnings and at an affordable rate will mean that Scotland's universities can retain their excellence, retain their student numbers and most crucially can boost bursary support for students from poorer backgrounds by £55 million a year.

"South of the border, part time students are being given support denied to part time students here because the UK Government has funded plans for part time studies through a graduate contribution system.

"As last year's Scottish Social Attitudes Survey and last month's YouGov poll show, Scots are fair minded and accept that it is fair for graduates to make a contribution towards the cost of their University education. It is clear that, regardless of which party they support, people are in favour of this.

"In a perfect world everything would be free. But in the real world, voters accept that the costs have to be spread.

"Recent figures from the Office of National Statistics showed that, on average, a University graduate will earn £12,000 a year more than those who have not gone to university. Over a working life, that is a pay boost of half a million pounds.

"Despite all the evidence, Labour, Lib Dems and the SNP refuse to find the money needed to bridge the real funding gap. Scottish Conservative plans are costed, affordable and will boost higher education in Scotland.

"By contrast, the deficit deniers in the other parties threaten our Universities' standing, threaten up to 13,000 student places and are out of tune with public opinion."

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